Ducks give kids a shot at fitness goal

Krystal Sanchez, right, a fifth grade student at Jefferson Elementary in Santa Ana, does push-ups April 16 during the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Approximately 1,000 students were on hand to practice their State of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Michael Carlin wore an Anaheim Ducks jersey as he watched a series of strength, flexibility and conditioning exercises at the Honda Center.

He might have looked the part, but he wasn't in Anaheim for a hockey practice.

Carlin, a fifth-grade teacher, brought his 31 students from Corona Ranch Elementary to prepare for the state's physical fitness exam, which a majority of students fail.

Last week, 850 fifth-graders convened on the massive arena parking lot where they ran a mile, stretched on orange and gray yoga mats, and applauded when the Ducks' mascot powered through one-arm push-ups.

"We don't have money for art or physical fitness, and here come the Ducks," Carlin said. "I had a kid who shaved three minutes off his mile."

The fitness field trip was the culmination of a 30-day school program created by the National Hockey League team to teach leadership, nutrition and a series of strength-building exercises to practice at home.

"Hopefully, we'll see a better pass rate because we've been preparing all year," Carlin said.

Matt Savant, director of fan development for the Ducks, said he was alarmed by the poor performance of Orange County students who are tested in fifth, seventh and ninth grades.

State data shows that 38 percent of Orange County students passed the test in 2012. The California average was 31 percent.

"I'm still shocked," Savant said. "It blew me away."

The test measures students on aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk-extension strength, upper-body strength and flexibility. Savant said part of the curriculum includes yoga stretches that Ducks players also do.

Savant said sports fans form their alliances early in life. He believes reaching out to students meant a lot would "have the opportunity to grow up with a connection to this team."

"You create excitement around a hockey team, which is not easy to do in Orange County," he said.

Kat Wallace, a teacher at Westmont Elementary in Anaheim, said her 30 students were having a great time. She said she has noticed a decline in fitness during her 26-year teaching career.

State data shows that last year 26.2 percent of the school's fifth-graders passed.

Krystal Sanchez, right, a fifth grade student at Jefferson Elementary in Santa Ana, does push-ups April 16 during the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Approximately 1,000 students were on hand to practice their State of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Krystal Sanchez, right, a fifth grade student at Jefferson Elementary in Santa Ana, does push-ups April 16 during the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Approximately 1,000 students were on hand to practice their State of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing stretches with a few of the 1,000 fifth-grade students recently as they take part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test at the Honda Center in Anaheim. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Approximately 1,000 fifth grade students gathered at the Honda Center in Anaheim April 16 before they took part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test . MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Alexis Hayz, left, a fifth grade student at Nohl Canyon Elementary School in Anaheim does the trunk lift as volunteer Christine Mayfield measures the height. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Students start the mile run while taking part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing congratulates students as they finish the mile run as they take part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Volunteers helped 1,000 fifth grade students take part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test at the Honda Center in Anaheim. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing stretches with a few of the 1,000 fifth grade students as they take part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ryan Getzlaf, captain of the Anaheim Ducks, talks before 1,000 fifth grade students before they took part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Students finish the mile run under a giant inflatable Ducks player while taking part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sarah Tagge, center, of Ra Yoga in Costa Mesa shows fifth grade students how to stretch as they take part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing stretches with a few of the 1,000 fifth grade students as they take part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test at the Honda Center in Anaheim. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Taylor Watson, a fifth grade student at Jefferson Elementary in Santa Ana, does the sit and reach as she takes part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing appears before 1,000 fifth grade students before they took part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals to practice their state of California required physical fitness test. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing gets loose with a few ankle rotations with some of the 1,000 fifth grade students taking part in the Anaheim Ducks Captain's Challenge 2013 Fit Finals. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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